The need to study violence in its own right, as distinct (though not necessarily separate) from the study of the causes of conflict.

The need for greater interdisciplinary collaboration and exchange in the study of violence in war.

The need for further research into the causes and shaping dynamics of violence characterised as ‘gratuitous’, ‘atrocious’, ‘irrational’ and cruel.

The project brings together leading experts in the study of violence – drawn from various academic disciplines – to conduct and publish original research on the problem of war-time atrocity. The principal outputs will be the publication of a collected volume of these studies, co-edited by Professor Mats Berdal and Dr Kieran Mitton, and a CSDRG-hosted conference to discuss findings, implications and areas for further research.

Approaches to Understanding Violence
CSDRG Seminar Series

In parallel with the research and publications of the project, Dr Mitton chairs a series of talks featuring guest speakers. Experts and thinkers from a range of fields offer their unique perspectives on conflict violence.

The below is a list of past talks and audio recordings where available.
All talks were chaired by Dr Kieran Mitton unless stated otherwise.

Of Ruptures and Continuities. Theory and Methodology in Research on Sexual Violence Against Women in War and Peace
Speaker: Dr Jelke Boesten, Reader in Gender and Development, Department for International Development, King’s College London.